In majority of computer systems, the deletion of stored files does not necessarily translate to its physical removal from the storage device. What really happens is that when a computer file is saved, markers are created to allow programs to read its contents in relation to the location of its components in the storage tracks. When a user issues a delete command either from the command prompt or by emptying the Recycle Bin for Microsoft Windows Operating System users, these markers are removed but the actual contents of the files remain in their storage tracks. By scanning the contents of the storage tracks of the hard drive, it is possible to recover files that are still physically present but no longer have their associated markers.

Materials Needed:

- Computer (Windows-based)
- additional storage device (when necessary)
- and Internet connection

Step 1

In order to locate accidentally or even intentionally erased files, double click on the Recycle Bin folder which is normally seen on the computer Desktop. The Recycle Bin folder is Windows' virtual trash can. This will display its contents in the Windows Explorer allowing the user to locate the necessary file to be recovered.

Step 2

When the file is found, click on the 'File Menu' and choose the 'Restore' option. This will automatically place the file back to its original location in the hard drive. In case the user does not know the original location, the 'Search' function of the Operating System can be used. The contents of files stored in the Recycle Bin are not accessible to the user. If the file is not in the Recycle Bin, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3

In instances wherein the file is too big for the Recycle Bin, is located in a removable device, deleted using utility programs, or erased via the command prompt, it will no longer be displayed in the Recycle Bin folder. These types of erased files may be restored by searching for other recovery tools on the Internet.

Step 4

After installing the third party utility, launch it, and choose the appropriate storage where the file was originally saved in. Upon completely reading the contents of the storage device, the user can search for the list of deleted files to recover the file. The utility provides the user with the option of recovering the file and dictating where it will be restored to. Since it is entirely possible that certain portions of the file have already been overwritten, recovery of the file does not guarantee its integrity.

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Computer viruses are small applications that contaminate files inside your computer and are capable of transferring from one computer to another. The purpose of the virus is to spread and corrupt a computer’s system. Infected computers start to slow down until the entire system eventually crash or malfunction. Antivirus programs are sold all over the world to fight virus infestation that has now found a way to disguise itself to infiltrate low level computer security. To find a virus, you will need to have an antivirus program.

Materials Needed:

- Internet connection
- Antivirus

Step 1

Install an antivirus program. Secure a licensed antivirus program from a reputable antivirus company. Antivirus programs are available online via downloading or offline via CD or DVD copy.

Step 2

After installing your antivirus program run an immediate update of the software. Antivirus updates are important as some antivirus employs signatures to recognize viruses. Signature is a traditional process to identify malicious files. It identifies viruses by checking the contents of a file or a program against its data base of viruses. Updating your antivirus program would also mean updating your virus database of the newly identified viruses. Nowadays, well known antivirus companies also employ heuristics to identify viruses and other malicious files. Heuristic is a process in which an antivirus program analyzes files and programs command lines to be able to identify if they are malicious and harmful.

Step 3

Another way to find a computer virus is to check manually. Go to Control Panel. Click on the Start then select Control Panel from the Start Menu.

Step 4

Select Add or Remove Programs from the Control Panel window. Check on the list of programs installed in your computer.

Step 5

Note the names of the programs you are not familiar with.

Step 6

Check the program’s name on the Internet. Research about its functions and possible effects on your system.

Step 7

If this file was indeed malicious delete it at once. If you are not sure if a file is malicious do not delete anything as it might affect your computer’s system and cause even greater damage.

Step 8

Another way to find a virus in your computer is to check the Windows Start-up folder. To go to Windows Start-up folder select My Computer. Select Drive C: from My Computer.

Step 9

Select the Documents and Settings folder in Drive C: Go to the All Users folder in the Documents and Settings. Inside the Documents and Settings click on the Start Menu folder. Check the programs inside the Start Menu folder. Identify listed programs that you do not recognize and research on them. This way you would be able to find out which files are harmful or a part of your computer’s system.

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There are two primary types of security software for removal of spyware and adware. These are the virus protection software and spyware removal software. Anti-virus software applications are capable of preventing and removing identified computer viruses and may at times have the feature of real-time protection that tries to stop viruses even prior to spreading its infection to the computer. Spyware and adware removal software applications have the ability to scan as well as remove unsolicited and hostile software programs. Both types of security software require regular updating to ensure that these programs will remain effective and efficient in performing their primary tasks. To evaluate security software is said to be a complicated process partly because various uses and environments usually require various security requirements even on the same type of product.

Materials Needed:

- Internet connection
- Security Software

Step 1

Browse on a list of OSS/FS (Open Source Software / Free Software (OSS/FS) programs. These programs are licensed programs a user can use for any purpose including the evaluation and study of another program. The user may use a number of search engines providing specialized sites to monitor the program. These search engines include the Enterprise Open Source Directory, Freshmeat, Free Software Directory, Google, Alta Vista, SourceForge, and Savannah.

Step 2

Read existing evaluations and reviews of the options identified by the user to gain first hand information on the software’s weaknesses and strengths. Try not to limit the review on the descriptions provided by the software’s manufacturers. To find these search reviews, the user may use Google as a primary search engine and then locate the articles that contain the name of the program to be evaluated by the user. Take note if these reviews are published reviews.

Step 3

Once the product reviews have been read, the user should briefly compare the attributes of the leading programs to his particular needs. Examine the functionality of the program chosen and see if it meets all the user’s requirements. To get a clearer background on the program, locate the OSS/FS project’s website which usually contains a brief description of the program.

Step 4

Once the user has chosen particular security software, ensure that the program is legitimate by carefully reading the license agreement before installing the program. Care must be taken during this process since some security software applications have been noted to install spyware themselves.

Step 5

After reading the license agreement, the user may now download the software from the manufacturer’s website or from a reputable mirror site.

Step 6

Install the software into the computer.

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The History of Internet Explorer keeps a record of all your visited websites. This process saves you time from having to download the Web page again and again whenever you visit the same website. However, these records are kept in your local hard disk, which consumes space and provides records of your Internet whereabouts. Some people prefer to delete their Internet browsing history to secure their online transactions and conserve disk space.

Materials Needed:

- Internet Explorer

Step 1

Open the Internet Explorer program via the Internet Explorer desktop shortcut. If desktop shortcut is not available you may click on the Internet Explorer logo provided on the left side of your task bar. It is also possible to open your Internet Explorer by accessing the Start Menu screen and selecting All Programs. After you click on the All Programs a screen will appear with the list of programs installed in the computer select Internet Explorer from there.

Step 2

After opening the Internet Explorer go to Tools a drop down menu will be provided. Select Internet Options from the menu. The Internet Options window will appear. Click on the clear history button on the right side.

Step 3

You may also delete your Internet Explorer’s browsing history by pressing Ctrl + H to make Internet browsing history appear usually on the left side on the Internet Explorer window. Erase the folders of browsing history one by one continue until all the folders were deleted.

Step 4

Another method to delete Internet Explorer’s browsing history is via Control Panel. Close all Internet Explorer application and go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel from the Start Menu. The Control Panel screen will then appear. Choose Internet Options from the Control Panel. The Internet Properties screen will pop up on the screen. Select the Clear history button in the Internet Properties screen, which will delete all the Internet browsing records.

Step 5

Delete Apple Macintosh Internet Explorer’s browsing history by 1.selecting Hard Drive. 2. After selecting Hard Drive go to the System and then to Preferences. 3. After selecting Preferences go to Explorer look for the history file and drag it to the trash

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A wireless network deployed without adequate encryption is similar to a house without front door with a welcome mat saying thieves are welcomed here at any time. The increasing popularity of Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks also led to a need for more reliable protection mechanism which prevents the hijacking of the Internet connection for authorized users of the wireless network. Unfortunately, majority of novice computer owners opt to forego of the process of encrypting the broadcasting of their wireless routers because of the perceived complexity associated with the procedure. This is a dangerous practice because it allows an unhampered access not only to the broadband connection but possibly to the resources of the network clients.

Materials Needed:

- Wireless router
- computer
- Internet connection
- Web browser

Step 1

The process of encrypting the digital signals of the wireless router is not as complicated as it seems. To lock down the router broadcast, open the Web browser and type the IP address of the wireless router in the address page. Possible addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, and 192.168.2.1 among others depending on the device’s manufacturer. Consult your router manual for verification.

Step 2

Entering the correct address will bring up the Administrator login screen for the router. Unless previously modified, possible default usernames are admin, root, or simply a blank box. The possible passwords would be admin or just leaving it blank. The default username and password should be in the device documentation.

Step 3

After successfully entering the correct username and password, the Web Administration Page will be displayed to the user. This is where the encryption of the broadcast will be done.

Step 4

Click on the 'Wireless' section of the router configuration page. Choose the section for the 'Wireless Security' option.

Step 5

Under the 'Security Mode' option, click the dropdown list to select from the possible choices for encryption mode. Each router supports a different range of security methods. More common choices would be WPA (further divided into Personal and Pre-Shared key) and WEP.

Step 6

After choosing the preferred security method, choose the 'Wireless Encryption Level' which is normally 64- or 128-bits. The higher the number of bits, the more secured the encryption level is.

Step 7

In the Passphrase field, type a reference text that you can remember. Click on the 'Generate' button which will generate a corresponding key based on the Wireless Encryption Level. This code serves as the password for all wireless devices attempting to access the network.

Step 8

Click on the 'Save Changes' button to implement the new configuration. Test the broadcast encryption by attempting to connect your wireless device without specifying the network password. The connection should be denied.

Step 9

Repeat the same connection process but this time, type in the generated network key. Click on the 'Connect' button. The wireless device should be able to connect to the network. Select the option to save the network key to eliminate the need to type it in at every connection attempt.

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Play Station is the most entertaining place for young generation of today. All the new games are easily available to be played on a play station. But all the entertainment is turned into trouble if your play station comes up with an error message showing Disk read error. Disk read error is the most common error occurring in play stations. It is more or less an error which could be fixed at home by following few steps and taking few precautions.""

Materials Needed:

- Standard screw driver
- #0 screw driver
- some cotton buds
- Isoprophyl rubbing alcohol
- felt - tip pen or marker
- vacuum cleaner for removing the dust (if possible)

Step 1

First of all remove all the plugs from the switches. Remove all the connections of play station devices to the power supply. You can see ten square - shaped covers for the screws. Remove all these covers so that you could take out all the screws. All the screws are of varying length. So place them in order such that you could track them correctly later on. Move to step 2.

Step 2

Once you are over with taking the screws off break the warranty seal if it is still unbroken. You will have to break the seal to see the inner circuit. Now tilt the play station slightly towards right side and upwards. Lift the rear edge towards the frontage of the unit until it’s over the controller jacks and disc tray then remove the cover. Remove the tape from there which is placed to hold the wires together. Remove off the dust with the help of vacuum cleaner (if available) or cotton buds. Move to next step.

Step 3

Now is the time to take the disk tray out of the cabinet. Behind the laser there is a gear of .35 inch radius and white in color. It is used to set the distance between laser's eye and disk surface. It is the point to remove disk read errors. There would be a smaller gear in brass color. Rub the laser with the cotton bud soaked in rubbing alcohol to clear the dust. Turn the white gear gently in either direction. You can now remove the disc cover. Follow it with inserting the DVD into the drive. Check if it works. If it works fine then it is time for inserting an audio cd. Check for its working. If it sounds good, you are done with it. If it doesn't work again rotate the gear in either direction until it works fine. Move to next step.

Step 4

Now gently place all the things in their respective positions and screw the board with appropriate screw placed in its correct position.

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Problems on the sounds of computers are typically due to a number of causes. There are several ways for diagnosing and resolving the loss of sound on a computer system. There are a number of methods for resolving sound issues on computers.

Materials Needed:

- Driver and application recovery CDs
- updated sound driver software.

Step 1

Make certain that all the output devices such as headphones or speakers are turned on and plugged in. Additionally, be sure to check whether the output device has not been put on mute. Also check the volume control settings of the program. Make sure that it is set high enough to be heard by the user. Always verify that the sound issues are not because of faulty speaker connections. The simplest way to test this is substituting speaker connections with headphones to check if the sound is getting out.

Step 2

The volume control settings could be accessed by clicking on the 'Start' button followed by 'All Programs', 'Accessories', 'Entertainment', and lastly, 'Volume Control'. You may also simply click on the speaker icon located on the System Tray. Check the settings of both the mute and volume. When the check boxes of mute have checks on them, uncheck them. If this still does not work, the sound problem may be caused by other factors.

Step 3

Performing System Restore is required when the sound from the speakers of the computer is audible and is suddenly lost. This is done by clicking on the 'Start' button and then the 'All Programs' button. Thereafter, click on the 'Accessories' button, 'System tools' and then 'System Restore'. Lastly, users would have to finish the System Restore Wizard. If this does not work again, the problem may be due to something else.

Step 4

In order to resolve the sound problem, you may have to delete and reinstall the sound driver. The sound driver could be missing or is corrupted that is why it is not functioning properly. When this is done however, the menu of the restore utility will not be available.

Step 5

Begin the process of deletion and re-installation by clicking on the 'Start' button, then the 'Control Panel' and 'System'. What follows is the 'Hardware', the 'Device Manager' and lastly, the 'Sound', 'Video' and 'Game Controllers'. Click on the sound device displayed on the Device Manager and then delete using the 'Delete' key of the keyboard. When prompted whether or not to continue with the deletion, click 'OK'. Uninstall all the sound devices listed in this manner except the Legacy Audio Drivers and the Audio Codec.

Step 6

Restart the computer and reinstall the sound drivers that have been deleted by means of the Driver and Application Recovery CDs that had come with the Operating System.

Step 7

Visit the official website of the computer manufacturer and check for an updated software of the sound driver for the sound card. When found, download them together with instructions for installation.

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Personal Computer systems like most electronic devices in one time or another will come to its end of lifecycle and eventually fail to properly function or will no longer power up completely. However, there is a possibility that computer systems may suffer from system crashes due to either a failure in hardware component or a conflict in the execution of its software elements. For computer systems running under the Microsoft Windows Operating System platform, a number of signs of system crashes include the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), automatic restarting of the machine, or simply just freezing up preventing the user from restarting it or shutting it down completely from its Graphical User Interface-based Operating System. Due to the complexity of this problem, this guide will attempt to focus primarily on the possible causes of software component failure thereby assuming that all hardware components are functioning properly.

Materials Needed:

- Computer
- Web browser
- Internet connection
- registry cleaner utility
- Operating System installation disc

Step 1

When a system crashes, the first thing to do is to reboot the machine. If possible, do a soft reboot by clicking on the 'Start' button, selecting the 'Turn off Computer' option and clicking on the 'Restart' button. If this is not possible, do a hard reboot by pressing the restart button or pressing and holding the power button on the PC case.

Step 2

If the system reboots fine, trace your steps prior to the crash. If you installed new software, proceed to Step 7. Majority of system crashes are caused by conflicts and errors in the system registry.

Step 3

Because the Windows Registry is a complex database of configurations and options associated with all programs installed in the machine including the Operating System, it is virtually difficult to identify potential errors manually. Open the Web browser and connect to the Internet.

Step 4

Download and install a registry cleaner. Once completely installed, launch the registry cleaner and initiate a registry scan.

Step 5

The registry cleaner will attempt to fix any problems found in the system registry keys and would usually prompt the user for a preferred action once an encountered error cannot be resolved. Allow the scanning and cleaning to finish and reboot the machine.

Step 6

The system registry should now be clean. As a preventive measure, regularly scan and clean the registry at least every two weeks.

Step 7

If the crash was caused by a newly installed program, boot into Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key on the keyboard during the reboot process.

Step 8

Select 'Safe Mode' from the Operating System boot option. This will ensure that only the essential components required by the system will be loaded.

Step 9

Click on the 'Start' button and select the 'Control Panel' option. In the Control Panel window, choose the 'Add/Remove Programs' category.

Step 10

The next screen will display all the currently installed programs in the machine. Select the program that caused the crash and click on the 'Change or Remove' button.

Step 11

Follow the prompt to complete the uninstall process. Reboot the machine in Normal Mode.

Step 12

Repeat Step 4 to make sure that the system registry remains healthy and clear of orphaned registry keys.

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The Domain Name System (DNS) is the naming system for computer services or other resources that connect to the World Wide Web. The DNS renames the IP addresses of the visited websites to a more user-friendly name. For instance, the DNS will rename the IP address 64.233.189.147 to www.google.com. Internet domain names are simple unlike IP addresses which are hard to remember. The DNS also stores other types of information. It also identifies DNS protocol as part of the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The users rely on the Domain Name System to rename the IP addresses of the visited websites. This is why the DNS is vital to the computers connected to the Internet.

Materials Needed:

- A desktop or a laptop running on a Windows Operating System
- Internet connection
- network adapter

Step 1

Click on the 'Start' menu to display the applications and options. Next, click the 'Run' option to display a small pop-up application.

Step 2

On the 'Run' option, type the command line 'cmd' and press the 'Enter' key. This will display another pop-up window, the command prompt.

Step 3

At the command prompt, type the line 'ipconfig /all'. The command prompt will display the entire Local Area Network adapter present at the computer. The local area adapter with a connection to the Internet will show the DNS server address of the computer. For another method, proceed to step four.

Step 4

Open the Control Panel menu. To do this, click on the 'Start' menu to see the applications and options available. The Control Panel is located on the right side of the Start menu. Double click on 'Control Panel' icon to enter the Control Panel.

Step 5

On the Control Panel menu, there are many icons that are on display, look for the icon of the Network Connections menu. Double click on the 'Network Connections' icon and the current window will redirect to another window.

Step 6

At the Network Connections menu, choose the active local area connection. Double click on the 'local area connection' icon to pop up a display option.

Step 7

On the display option of the local area connection, click the 'properties' button to pop up another display option.

Step 8

At the pop-up display option, there will be different item used for the Internet connection. Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on 'properties' to display another option.

Step 9

On the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), look for the preferred DNS server. This is the DNS server address the computer uses.

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A Computer ID in technical terms refers to the Media Access Control (MAC) address. It is a unique number assigned to every networking interface associated with either an Ethernet or Airport communication structure. The uniqueness of this Computer ID is used to limit access of computer systems to secured network environments to minimize unauthorized access including support for online registration services of various software manufacturers and to prevent piracy. During online sessions, a correspondence table is used in order to relate the IP address of the computer system to the physical address of the machine within the LAN structure. Burned into the ROM chip and loaded into the RAM during the startup process, this unique identifier designed to be globally unique and permanent may be modified by newer hardware devices using a method called as MAC spoofing.

Materials Needed:

- Network adapter
- computer

Step 1

The manner on how this MAC address may be acquired differs widely on the underlying Operating System platform installed in the computer system. Although the same hardware will maintain its MAC address when transferred to another platform, only the manner of acquiring the address will change. For Mac OS X machines, proceed to Step 6. Computer systems running under the Microsoft Windows Operating System platform can get their Computer ID by going to Step 9. It is possible to retrieve the Computer ID for systems without any installed Operating System by proceeding to Step 13.

Step 2

For Linux-based computer systems, the Ethernet hardware is referred to as eth0. To get the corresponding Computer ID, you must become root.

Step 3

In order to become the root, you must type 'su' (without quotes) at the prompt. This will normally return a blank prompt.

Step 4

Type in the command 'ifconfig' with the '-a' option.

Step 5

The Computer ID can be retrieved from the value corresponding to the HWaddr string.

Step 6

The Mac OS X, as a graphical user interface or GUI-based Operating System, provides a menu-based way of retrieving the Computer ID. Click on the 'Dock' and select the 'System Preferences' menu.

Step 7

Under this menu, select the Network option. This will bring up a window that displays locations associated with different MAC addresses. Click on the 'Built-in Ethernet' option from the Ethernet tab.

Step 8

Read the resulting value corresponding to the Ethernet ID label.

Step 9

Under the Microsoft Windows Operating System, it is assumed that the TCP/IP protocol is installed in the machine. Click on the 'Start' button and select the 'Run' option.

Step 10

In the new window, type the command 'cmd' in the Open box (omit the quotes), and click on the 'OK' button.

Step 11

This will launch the Command Prompt window. Type the command 'ipconfig' with the '/all' option and press the 'Enter' key on the keyboard.

Step 12

This will display a list of values. The Computer ID is the value which corresponds to the Physical Address category.

Step 13

For new computer systems without an installed Operating System, a Fermi Linux floppy disk is required. It may be secured from FCC3W or WH8NW. Put it into the floppy drive and direct the machine up to the display screen of 'Choose a Language'.

Step 14

Press the CTRL, ALT, and F4 keys simultaneously. The string at the bottom part of the screen beginning with '<6>eth0:' is the Computer ID.

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One of the main reasons why some files are hidden by Windows is that a user may unknowingly modify or delete them and this may prove catastrophic for the Operating System (OS). There are times when these files actually need to be accessed, such as when troubleshooting or when removing malicious software from your computer, since these harmful programs use hidden files to make them hard to detect and remove.

Materials Needed:

- Computer
- Windows OS

Step 1

The steps will vary according to the type of Operating System you have installed in your computer.

Step 2

For Windows Vista users, make sure that all programs are closed before you begin. Go and click on the 'Start' button and move to 'Control Panel'. The window that appears will depend on the type of view you have set. If set to Control Panel Home View, access the link 'Appearance and Personalization'. Once there, select 'Show Hidden Files or Folders'. In the Hidden Files and Folders window, select the button marked as 'Show hidden files and folders'. If your system is set to the 'Classic View', just select 'Folder Options', go to 'View', and select the button marked as 'Show hidden files and folders' in the Hidden Files and Folders window. Remove the check marks beside both 'Hide extensions for known file types' and 'Hide protected Operating System files'. Click on 'Apply' and then 'OK'.

Step 3

For users of Windows XP, go to the Control Panel. In the Control Panel window, select 'Folder Options'. On the window that opens, select 'View'. Find 'Advance' settings. From here, click on 'Show hidden files and folders' and remove the 'Hide protected Operating System files' mark as well as 'Hide protected Operating System files'. Click on 'OK' to show these hidden files and folders.

Step 4

For Windows 98, make sure that all programs are closed and go to the desktop. Go to My Computer, then to 'View', and proceed to 'Folder Options'. On the window that will appear, select 'View'. Look for 'Show all files' and click on it. Click on the 'Apply' button and then 'OK'.

Step 5

After these different steps (depending on your Operating System), you will now be able to see the hidden files and folders in your computer. Just remember that changing some of the files, especially system files, can cause significant changes in the way your computer behaves. Thus, it should be done with care.

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The IP (Internet Protocol) address of a router can be useful if you want to secure your wireless network. It can prevent unauthorized users to gain access to your wireless network. You can also make some changes to your router’s settings by accessing the settings from your Web browser. In order to do this, you need to know the IP address of your router.

Materials Needed:

- Internet connection
- router’s manual (optional)

Step 1

You can easily get the IP address of your router by checking the user’s manual. If you do not have the manual, you can access the Internet and check the router’s website for the IP address.

Step 2

Open a Web browser window. Search for the official website of your router. Search for the model of the router that you are using. Usually, manufacturer’s use a default IP address for each model of a router. Once you have found the model of your router, check the online manual for the IP address.

Step 3

If you cannot find the specific model of your router on the router’s website, try searching for it on search engines. Type the model of your router on the search bar followed by 'default IP address'. This should bring up some results for the IP address of your router.

Step 4

In some cases, the manufacturer does not use the default IP address for the router. Sometimes, the IP address can also be changed manually. You can also get the IP address of your router even if it has been changed. To do this, click on the 'Start' button on the lower left corner of your desktop. Select 'All Programs' from the list. Choose 'Accessories' and choose on 'Command Prompt'.

Step 5

A new window will appear on the screen. On the window, type 'ipconfig' where the cursor is. Press the 'Enter' key on your keyboard.

Step 6

Wait for the results for a few seconds. A lot of information regarding your computer and network will appear on the screen. Search for the line that reads 'Default Gateway'. The numbers beside this line is your router’s IP address.

Step 7

You can change the settings of your router by using the IP address. On your Web browser window, type the IP address on the address bar. This should open a page containing your router’s settings.

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Maximizing the signal of a wireless network is always a big advantage to a home, business establishment, or workplace. There are many ways of boosting wireless range. Some may require something as simple as relocating the wireless router, while some would need special equipment. One or a combination of these methods will hopefully help extend network range enough to cover an entire home, office, or establishment. 

Materials Needed:

- wireless router
- hi-gain antenna (optional)
- USB network adapter (optional)
- wireless repeater (optional)

Step 1

Try relocating the router. Ideally, the router should be placed at the center of the area for maximum coverage in all directions. Also, thick metal and concrete, as well as floors may interfere with the signal of the router so try placing the unit away from these obstructions. Elevating the unit onto a table or mounting it on a wall may also help boost the signal.

Step 2

Try to gauge if the signal has increased by referring to the Wi-Fi client’s signal meter.

Step 3

Try changing the orientation of the router’s antennas (horizontal, vertical, at a certain angle) to see which direction works best to intensify the signal.

Step 4

Go to the wireless router’s configuration page to change channels. Changing the wireless channel, much like fiddling with the dial of a radio to find the best signal, may also help in choosing a channel that is free of interference.

Step 5

Most antennas that come with the router are omni-directional so they broadcast in equal intensity around the router. This will prove inefficient if the router is near an outside wall since half of the signal will go to a place outside the needed area. If this is the case, consider upgrading to a hi-gain antenna. This kind of antenna will concentrate the wireless signal toward only one direction, maybe the area where the router power is most needed.

Step 6

Adding a wireless repeater is one very common way of increasing signal strength. Placing the repeater halfway from the computer and the router will instantly boost the wireless signal. Choose a repeater from the same producer of the router if possible, as hardware coming from the same manufacturers generally work better together.

Step 7

Upgrading the wireless router may prove to be more costly but it is the surest way to actually boost wireless signal. The best in the market, according to most online reviews, is the 802.11n so far. It has been said that this model’s signal provides better range as well as stability. It has also been observed that it crashes less frequently than other models.

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The hard drive is considered as the storage center of a computer. All of your files, folders, programs, and even the Operating System are saved in the hard disk. When the hard drive is totally erased, these programs will be erased with it too. However, some people choose to erase a hard drive because they may simply want to renew or reformat their computer or they want to get rid of a hard-headed malware. 

Materials Needed:

- External storage media (e.g. CDs
- DVDs
- flash disks
- or card)
- hard drive
- computer
- device drivers of everything in your CPU
- Operating System installation CD

Step 1

Check if you already have backup copies of all the files saved in the hard drive. If not, better make back up copies of your files first before proceeding to the next step. You can do this by burning a copy of your files in CDs or DVDs or by simply making copies in flash disks or media cards.

Step 2

Does your computer have a system recovery disk? If yes, proceed to the next step. If not, proceed to Step 5.

Step 3

Place the system recovery disk in the applicable drive. This special disk will help you to easily format and reinstall the Operating System.

Step 4

Follow the on-screen instructions from the disk. This will lead you to erasing the hard drive and may also help you to re-install the necessary applications after formatting.

Step 5

Use the DOS command prompt to format or erase the hard drive. Do this by opening the command link prompt. You can do this by clicking the 'Start' button and choosing the 'Run' option. Type the 'cmd' command in the open field and press 'Enter' or click 'OK'.

Step 6

The window for Command Line will open. Type 'format c: /u' or 'format c: /q'. The 'c:' here is the drive you want to erase. Meanwhile, the '/u' means unconditional format and the '/q' means quick format. The unconditional format is considered more secured than the quick format.

Step 7

Insert the installation CD of the Operating System after formatting the hard disk. You will be guided with the on-screen instructions on installing the Operating System.

Step 8

Formatting the hard drive may not totally erase its contents. Most computers are set to store copies of files in a hard drive. These copies may not be deleted even when formatting the hard drive. If you want to totally erase the hard drive, you need to use a special program called disk wipes for that. Some free disk wipes you can use are the Disk Redactor, Free Disk Wipe, QuickWiper, and R-Wipe & Clean.

Step 9

Some bits of data in a hard drive may still be recovered even after using a good disk wipe application. There are some IT professionals who can do this. If you do not want this to happen, the only way you can do is to physically destroy the hard drive.

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BIOS is also known as the Basic Input Output System and is stored in the motherboard, specifically in a memory chip. BIOS tells the computer to do several basic functions like keyboard control and booting. It is also used to detect and configure hardware attached to the CPU such as its floppy dive, optical drive, CPU, memory, and hard drive. Modern computers contain BIOS. It is also used to access computer systems regardless of whether the computer is running on Linux, UNIX, Windows Vista, or Windows XP. It functions outside of the environment of the Operating System since it is a part of the motherboard.

Materials Needed:

- Computer Motherboard
- Operating System
- keyboard
- mouse
- CPU

Step 1

Turn on the computer or reboot it if it is already on.

Step 2

Wait for a message saying 'Entering Set-up' after a few seconds once you have turned it on. The message may vary from PC to PC and you may also need to enter a key or a combination of keys to be able to enter BIOS. Usually, a function key such as F10 is used to be able to access it, but that still varies among computers. Sometimes, it may even be the DEL key or ESC key.

Step 3

Press the key or combination of keys instructed by the message to access BIOS. You may need to press it a number of times but do not press on it too many times and do not press it down because it may cause an error in the system or cause it to lock-up. In the event that happens, you may restart the PC and try once more.

Step 4

If a logo screen comes on such as one with Dell or HP instead of the display for the startup process, then you can check with the manufacturer of the PC or refer to the manual for instructions to turn that screen off in order to show the startup information.

Step 5

Before changing anything in BIOS, it is best to take note of all original settings so you can refer to it later if the PC needs to be reset.

Step 6

There are specific keys needed to be pressed depending on the brand of the computer. You can watch out for the info on the screen before the computer starts to enter BIOS or check with the manufacturer.

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